No nuts with that!

I have a sailing mate who suffers from Popeye Syndrome. Should he accidently eat spinach, his cheeks and forearms swell up, his eyes take on weird cockeyed glint and he adopts a jaunty nautical gait.

I'm kidding, yes, to grab your attention. The issue of food allergies and sensitivities is a very real and serious one, particularly when you're travelling in a foreign country, probably don't speak the lingo and thus can't let anyone know about it.

The humble peanut, joined at the hip to the humble beer and scoffed without thought by millions around the world, is a total nightmare for anyone suffering a nut allergy. Peanuts can prove fatal, without ingestion! Yet peanuts are found in all manner of foods all over the world, as are many other nuts.

For other travellers, it's fish or shellfish that presents a lurking and potential fatal danger. Other less serious food allergies may affect us when young but often disappear as we grow older.

So how do you prevent a disastrous bite in a foreign land? One really bright idea is to carry a card in the appropriate tongue to flash whenever you order a meal - something like No nuts with that!.

Customised, laminated food alert cards, available in any language and covering a wide range of foods, from alcohol to yogurt, can be ordered online from SelectWisely, which also does multi-food, multi-language cards and special cards for specific needs.

It's a simple, brilliant idea and they've thought of everything. As a last resort there's the "get me to hospital" card for just $5. Don't leave home without one ...

LATEST COMMENTS

These food cards are a very good idea but the thought of travelling overseas still isn't very comforting.

Prior to having children, my wife & I travelled extensively and would love both our children to have this wonderful experience but the challenge of travelling with our now 13 yr old son who has a severe peanut allergy cannot be underestimated.

Our son having just a peanut allergy is a lot luckier than other people who have all nuts, dairy, wheat, gluten allergies and/or a combination of the above.

We try to make people understand the ramifications and while most people try to be understanding and helpful they cannot truly know what is involved with living with a severe allergy.

Our food labelling here while good almost makes you sream as you put back on the shelf countless foods which "may contain traces of....". Overseas food prepreation laws are most likely very different and to try to explain,ask & understand questions in a foreign language about such a subject as you go will be difficult.

We will travel overseas with our sons, but Asia will not be on our itinerary.

Posted by: Mark on March 3, 2006 6:37 AM

I am allergic to tree nuts, and travel often. I nearly ended up in hospital in Italy, and did in the US. Check your insurance policy carefully - many will not cover anaphylaxis at all.

My strategies are to be familiar with the cuisine before I go, and to never eat dessert which are usually where the most nuts are. Menus are often much more concise than at home (no elaborate, verbose wording), so you need to become familiar with some of the key dishes. I usually travel with my husband, and we always order different meals as another option in case one turns out nutty.

I also like going to Japan or eating Japanese while overseas, as very very few of their meals contain nuts.

On planes, ask for the asian vegetarian meal. They do not cater for nut allergies on airlines but they claim that the AV meal is least likely to have nuts.

That said, if you're vegetarian at home, it's almost impossible to keep up while you're away as so many vegetarian meals contain some kind of nut. I do tend to eat chicken or fish while I'm overseas just so I have a couple more options.

It's never foolproof - I have ordered things I would never expect to get nuts in and found nuts (ricotta pasta, breakfast waffles, mushroom risotto). Don't eat it, swap it with your partner's meal if you can, or go somewhere else for a second meal later (if you're not already in the hospital by now). If you can manage a few words, send it back to the staff.

I've not tried the laminiated cards yet, but if I went somewhere where I was unfamiliar with the cuisine or didn't understand the language at all I would buy them.

Posted by: MsFi on March 3, 2006 8:06 AM

My partner and I have intolerances to many different foods, whichs makes travelling difficult. We only lasted in Japan by ducking into hotels and grabbing meat and plain salad at their buffets (no fish or sauces for us, for example).

We have discovered it is harder to eat in the UK and US than in Spain and Portugal. It was easy to get plain meat and chips (with olive oil) in the latter two, and they even had pear jam (pear being the only fruit we can eat). For the first two, it was hard to avoid additives, though in England we ended up with a fair few pub dinners, and frequented health food shops.

Posted by: David Carroll on March 3, 2006 8:51 AM

Following on from MsFi's point, we have basically given up trying to explain our allegies to the airline companies. We simply don't fit in any of their categories, and take lots of corn and rice cakes with us.

Strangely though, one of the best meals we had was on a internal US flight, after Qantas and/or our travel agent failed to pass our dietary restrictions on to the other airline. And Japan Airlines once provided us with life-saving plain steamed rice, which was much appreciated.

Posted by: David Carroll on March 3, 2006 8:59 AM

I have a severe peanut allergy & have had all my life. Now there is a certain level of awareness of this allergy, but when I was growing up it was not very common and so it was very difficult to get any guarantee that a meal was peanut free - as a result my family rarely ate out.

When travelling I stick to a vegetarian menu and when in doubt I just don't eat anything I am not 100% sure of the contents of. The only country I have ever had a problem in was Bali, where I (stupidly) ate off another person's plate and nearly died on a bathroom floor not long after!

Posted by: KH on March 3, 2006 9:52 AM

I have always found airlines to be very helpful when it comes to my peanut allergy - on one occasion even removing all nut products from the plane. Politeness always gets you further - I don't expect the world suddenly to go nut-free just for me (and my fellow anti-nutties)

Posted by: Kate on March 3, 2006 10:03 AM

The ONLY way that you can ever feel secure when in transit is to take your own food. It's not hard if you plan - I do this on all international flights (even when travelling for 24 hours solid). As someone who has had anaphylaxis twice after eating a meal in which I was assured nuts were NOT present, I realised that no one would take total control except me.

Posted by: Alex on March 3, 2006 11:09 AM

the allergy i have is to something that does not yet have to be listed on products as "May contain traces of..." like peanuts do - most people with peanut allergies share mine & it can be fatal. In Europe this ingredient in in just about everything - bread, pasta, vegetarian products, processed meat products - sausages etc. It is just starting to become more widely used over here.
I don't think I could travel in Europe & soon I don't think I'll be able to eat anything that isn't on my "Safe Foods List" over here. I can't see me travelling to a country where I have no access to a "Safe Foods List" unless I ate only 100% unprocessed foods like fruit, vegetables & plain cuts of unflavoured meats & fish. That's a lot of work when you're travelling.

Posted by: Kat on March 3, 2006 11:19 AM

It is great that nut allergy is now reasonably well known. I remember at primary school my teachers thought that I was just being precocious and not eating my food. I was often sick.

Recently, I was on an aeroplane and snacks were being handed out, and I asked if they contained nuts. When they said yes, the person next to me asked if I would prefer her not to eat hers, as she knew that people's allergy can be set off by the smell.

On the other hand, I recently went to a chinese restaurant where, after being assured that a dish had no peanuts, I was served a dish full of peanuts.

Posted by: David on March 3, 2006 11:28 AM

I have a peanut allergy, which whilst not being severe, still does cause a reaction. I made my own allergy card when i went to Vietnam and Thailand, and learnt to say the phrase "I am allergic to peanuts, and they musn't be in my food" in both languages. Over 35 days, i still got sick twice, however both these times were when i didnt mention that i was allergic as i didnt think the meals could possibly have peanuts in them. Every time i made a point of my allergy, restaurant staff went out of their way to be helpful.

Therefore, i think that you should not worry so much about it that it may stop you from going places. As long as you are vigilant about it and explain what will happen if you are exposed to the food products, then everything should be fine. Just beware not to assume that something couldn't possibly have peanuts in it - thats when you will be exposed!!

Happy travels.

Posted by: Craig McGowen on March 3, 2006 11:53 AM

Outside of western countries food allergies aren't as well recognised and it can often be difficult when travelling. It highlights the real reason for food allergies - poor western diets.

Posted by: Ken on March 3, 2006 12:43 PM

I want to travel to some off the beaten track places, but reading all these comments is making me worried. I am not allergic to peanuts but to most grains, fruits and some vegetables, and while I wont die with my allergies, I will suffer from food poisoning like symptoms, asthma and severe skin itchyness. Ah well, always plain meat and steamed rice I guess

Posted by: Jennifer on March 3, 2006 1:27 PM

I think that generally with allergies the real problem is potential liability. Food processing and preparation are not exact sciences. Why would a manufacturer or resturant guarantee that no nuts were in a food (even if they were fairly sure they weren't present) if the consequences of one tiny fragment of nut could be as serious as death? The market for allergy free food is not significant enough to be worth all the effort and risk involved to say the food is safe for most producers and resturants. As for travelling overseas to somewhere that you could not speak or understand the language with an allergy, I can certainly understand this would be almost impossible for anyone with a serious allergy. I would think that even with a card, it would be difficult to get across the importance of what you were saying. Although I do not have any allergies myself, I think it is very important for people to be empathic about these types of things because it can affect people so much, and who knows, maybe when you have a child or grandchild they will be affected. I could only suggest more research into the causes of allergies so they could be prevented one day. Maybe they could replace all those studies desperately looking for ways chocolate could be good for you because that's what people want to hear.

Posted by: Alex on March 3, 2006 1:49 PM

Food allergies should not be underestimated. One of my best friends went on an organised tour throughout South Africa, and one of the other girls in her early 20's actually died after eating a dish containing peanuts. The nightmare involved in flying her body home etc., let alone the heart break of it all certainly ruined a good holiday.

Posted by: vic on March 3, 2006 2:54 PM

"The market for allergy free food is not significant enough to be worth all the effort and risk involved to say the food is safe for most producers and resturants"
I recently attended an anaphalaxis seminar which claimed that greater than 1% of children are born with a peanut allergy which could possibly result in a fatal reaction. Now lets assume that for each of these 'greater than 1%' there is at least 1 person in their life (parent/sibling/boyfriend/girlfriend) not comfortable in eating peanuts for fear of cross contamination, keeping a peanut free environment etc.
You could then conclude that 2% of the Australian population would be more comfortable, if not extremely interested in, a confident peanut free alternative. Now two percent of Australia's approximate 20mill population is about 400,000ppl, and you don't need to be a marketing exec to identify that as a relatively 'significant' market with a clear need. Clearly these numbers aren't hard and fast, but the picture I'm painting is there.

Now I wouldn't expect all thai and other asian restaurants to board up their windows and get chased out of town with pitchforks, but what I can't understand is why a multinational chain like Subway (whom myself and my girlfriend, who has the peanut allergy, feel fairly safe to be a peanut free environment) would introduce a satay product [with the restaurant's ultra high risk of cross contamination] and hence make 2% of the population hesitant to eat their food.

Posted by: Michael on March 3, 2006 3:10 PM

In response to Ken's post below, allergies are actually caused by mast cell protein antibodies reacting to the presence of foreign proteins entering the body (such as those in milk, peanuts, and all other allergens). When this happens to someone with an allergy, the mast cells release histamine and other similar chemicals in order to get the allergen 'out of the body'. For those of us with anaphylactic allergies this is potentially life-threatening.

Allergies (and anaphylactic allergies particularly) usually result from a genetic component and are strongly linked with many other conditions such as ezcema, asthma, hayfever etc. Note also the difference between lactose intolerance (milder reaction to milk sugar) and actual milk allergy (more severe and possibly life-threatening reaction to milk protein).

From your comment regarding allergies being due to 'western diets', perhaps your point of view has been derived from 'western b*llsh*t' instead of scientifically sound fact. It's people like you that we with allergies have to avoid like the plague (or milk, dairy, eggs and all nuts in my case....).

Posted by: Anaphylactic on March 3, 2006 3:40 PM

I would like to point out that a peanut is not a nut. It is indeed a legume.

Posted by: carrie on March 3, 2006 4:04 PM

Between my husband and I we are allergic to MSG, nuts, strawberries, wheat products, dairy products and eggs as well as numerous other things. We travel and have travelled throughout the world, our next trip being in 5 weeks time. Does it stop us? No. We are silver frequent flyer card holders! But we always get out meals on the plane first because it is a special order. Once out of Helsinki we got freshly cooked steaks straight out of 1st class whilst out fellow travellers got the usual mash.

Once you recognise what you can and can't have (eg. MSG is often in darker, pre-made sauces, meat dishes and salty snacks) you can travel anywhere and almost always stay healthy. For us, fresh, less-prepared food is always the best, and it is probably the best for most people anyway!

It shouldn't stop you from travelling, but you need to know your allergy limits, have treatment available and be able to have a day or two of travelling should a reaction happen.

Posted by: Traveller No. 2 on March 3, 2006 4:35 PM

This comment will probably upset a few people.
I am sick of "ANALphyllactic parents"
For those at true anaphyllactic risk from nut allergy and act responsibly - hooray.
For those that have regular peanut allergies and insist that others also go without nuts (eg bans on peanuts in schools)- boo hiss.
The behaviour of parents who have an allergic child tends to be the most anaphyllactic thing about nut issues.
Anaphyllaxis is a real issue for some people, but a false sense of security happens when the allergic, or parents of the allergic assume that organisations are safe because they have made sure a nut ban is in place.

If the risk is real, then have the epi pen on standby, wear an ID bracelet, tell the people that really are responsible for your or your childs care and for heavens sake, dont make others responsible!
Why should every parent of a school become responsible for what others kids eat and their children be subject to eating like they have an allergy when they dont?

Posted by: kp on March 3, 2006 5:25 PM

For anyone travelling with a food allergy - Ensure that you double check with your airline that they have catered for you. There is nothing worse than hopping aboard an Air NZ flight in LA, have your meal order lost, transiting in Auckland where you can't eat anything, getting on the flight to Sydney where they don't serve food at all and then muscling through customs before you can finally buy something.

Posted by: Simon on March 3, 2006 6:51 PM

I have allergies, some more severe than others, e.g. MSG & Tartrazine is deadly for me as i peanuts - being diagnosed appropriately by professionals at the Fodd Allergy Unit at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. I travel extensively. I am aware of my limits and aware of my surroundings. I am not afraid to travel, I do not impose my allergies on others but make choices on the food I eat because I have been given good advice and education from the beginning. I do not have a totally western diet...my grandmother who lived in Africa her whole life had similar allergies to me and she did not have a western diet. There is a science behind allergies, rather than fretting without cause, perhaps those with allergies who have not done so make an effort to understand their condition and not be hysterical.
Those without allergies, need to be aware that some people are more sensitive than others and should be mindful. Tolerance (pardon the pun) and understanding rather than ignorance should enable you to travel. Don't let your allergies inhibit you. Life is far too short.

Posted by: AT on March 3, 2006 7:46 PM

I've not long been back from an extensive trip overseas. I'm asthmatic, and I have a list of food allergies as long as my arm; carry an epi-pen, drugs, allergy sheets, emergency care information. I managed to get most of the way through my trip before I had an anaphylactic reaction ... and it was to nothing I'd expected it could be. I was in Amsterdam, didn't indulge in marijuana as I've never even smoked a cigarette or done drugs in my lifetime (and don't plan to) ... the thing that sent me into shock? Marijuana smoke from walking past the coffee shops etc. It nearly killed me. I'm not going back to Amsterdam again - the risk is just too high.

Posted by: Indy on March 3, 2006 9:12 PM

Ken, anaphylaxis to peanuts is an increasingly common problem among children. Anaphylaxis is often fatal. I think that everyone realises that restriction of peanuts in schools does not equate to absolute safety for those children with nut allergies but it does significantly reduce the risk of exposure. Yes, it may inconvenience a few children but they won’t die from the lack of a peanut butter sandwich. The case of the young boy who died a couple of years ago on the school excursion is an example of one young life that may have been saved if the school had a nut free policy in place. Bracelets and EpiPens (one word Ken) are essential but an EpiPen (even when correctly administered) is no guarantee of survival from anaphylaxis. Fortunately most schools now do not demonstrate the degree of ignorance displayed in your email and do support a nut free environment. I guess that those nut free advocates are just like those spoilsports who support compulsory seatbelts, restricted blood alcohol limits for drivers etc. Ken, do some reading, try to be less ignorant and understand that nut free policies are design to reduce the chance of exposure just like the 0.05 blood alcohol limit is designed to reduce your risk of exposure to these divers when you are out on the road.

Posted by: Rob on March 4, 2006 12:02 AM

KP, anaphylaxis to peanuts is an increasingly common problem among children. Anaphylaxis is often fatal. I think that everyone realises that restriction of peanuts in schools does not equate to absolute safety for those children with nut allergies but it does significantly reduce the risk of exposure. Yes, it may inconvenience a few children but they won’t die from the lack of a peanut butter sandwich. The case of the young boy who died a couple of years ago on the school excursion is an example of one young life that may have been saved if the school had a nut free policy in place. Bracelets and EpiPens (one word KP) are essential but an EpiPen (even when correctly administered) is no guarantee of survival from anaphylaxis. Fortunately most schools now do not demonstrate the degree of ignorance displayed in your email and do support a nut free environment. I guess that those nut free advocates are just like those spoilsports who support compulsory seatbelts, restricted blood alcohol limits for drivers etc. Kp, do some reading, try to be less ignorant and understand that nut free policies are design to reduce the chance of exposure just like the 0.05 blood alcohol limit is designed to reduce your risk of exposure to these divers when you are out on the road.

Posted by: Rob on March 4, 2006 12:04 AM

As a frequent traveller and even often being upgraded, I MISS THE NUTS. Leading a very busy life as are most people nowadays, I used to look forward to getting on a plane bypassing that sickly bubbly excuse for champagne,reaching that climactic mile high region so i can sink my teeth into some nice salty nuts . This being the precursor to the soothing qualities of an icy cold beer.
This experience has been diminished by the texture and flavour of the rice crispie like things placed in front of you. BRING BACK THE NUTS

Posted by: cary on March 4, 2006 7:20 AM

Hey Anaphylactic, maybe it's the stress and deep-seated anger that's causing your allergies. Maybe a nice long holiday on a topical island would help. Just remember to take your 'I don't eat anything other than white bread and tim tams' flash cards with you.

Posted by: Ken on March 4, 2006 9:45 AM

I am one of those people who is allergic to all NUTS and has an anaphlaxis reaction to it and who also has an Asmath problem.

I have the Laminated Cards and I find them really helpful to help me out.

I know of people who are allergic to the smell of the nuts and has a reaction to it straight away.

Posted by: Linda on March 6, 2006 8:26 AM

Ken, you idiot. Did you not read the post at all? Obviously they can't eat white bread and tim tams as they contain wheat and dairy products. I'm intolerant to gluten and while I don't die if I eat gluten it does get very uncomfortable for me and my partner. It's amazing how many people think it is a choice saying things like 'Oh go on, I won't tell anyone'. I would LOVE to be able to eat white bread, pizza and pasta again.

Posted by: Sarah on March 7, 2006 9:44 AM

Dear Rob, thanks for your comment. I have in my mind no doubt the passion you have for potentially saving the life of a young person.

You have suggested that my email demonstrates that level of ignorance that I may have. The little info I chose to reveal has already caused a somewhat anaphylactic response from you. Any more from me could prove fatal. ;)

I therefore refer you to this article. You may be surprised to hear that these specialist immunologists, share the same view that I do. FYI I am a registered nurse with a daughter who IS anaphylactic to dustmites for which has to take immunosuppressants. The day her school implements a peanut free 'Policy' is the day I get the school to rip up all the dust mite ridden carpets.

Whilst it may be that more people are being diagnosed with peanut allergies, it may be worthwhile to remember that the incidence for peanut caused anaphylaxis resulting in death remains extremely rare.

Why is it so hard for people to accept that they are responsible for their own children? That is all that I am saying.

Posted by: kp on March 7, 2006 2:08 PM

Your reaction to my little post appears anaphylactic. Anything more from me might prove fatal. ;) so I am leaving this link FYI. It may suprprise you that top immunologists actually think like I do...that blanket bans do not solve the problem, incidences of true anaphylaxis is over stated etc. etc. I am registered nurse myself. Happy reading.

P.S. you think that my last post made me to look ignorant. Why should I waste my breath bragging to YOU what I actually do KNOW?

We have just found this blog and would like to inform all those who suffer from nut, egg and gluten allergies, the first Australian made peanut, tree-nut, egg and glutne free chocolate bar has just been release by Willow Confectionery - a family run company who has been a major player in the Easter Egg business for many years.

The Willow Bar is a prestigious product, made the old fashioned way with less sugar, no artificial additives and more top quality cocoa products to ultimately create an indulgent, pure tasting chocolate.

With bars now appearing in pharmacies and health food shops, don't just take our word, grab a bar and see for yourself.

Please feel free to contact me for any further information, or possibly a sample, on 03 9866 4722.

Kind regards,
Stuart

Posted by: Stuart on March 16, 2006 10:50 AM

I agree with kp. I am a parent to two children (3 and 5 years) with life-threatening allergies to a number of foods. One child has experienced anaphylaxis. Banning foods is not the answer and creates a false sense of security. My children are learning to be aware of the dangers and to look after themselves in time. They will live in the real world not in a bubble.

Eventually they will be old enough and responsible enough to cross the road on their own too!!!

Posted by: Jenny on March 20, 2006 10:52 AM

I agree that kids with allergies can't live life in a bubble but think that school is supposed to be an environment that is supportive of students with any range of issues. If carpet is that bad for a child's health, then it is reasonable to not have it in the classroom. And as for nut bans, kids are very messy eaters and could easily spread their food where it could come into contact with others.

Posted by: Jor on March 21, 2006 10:44 PM

I am allergic to these people who think that they are Prima Donnas and the world will bend backwards for them and them alone.Get over it,If we ban this and that then we will starve. How many die on the roads, but I have not seen a post to ban cars, trucks, busses etc.
I LOVE PEANUTS.

Posted by: Rob on March 21, 2006 11:24 PM

I recently spent 3 months travelling through South East Asia with my boyfriend who is allergic to peanuts.
We flew Malaysian airlines who gave us both special nut-free meals (earlier AND more frequently than the regular meals).
When we arrived in a new country the first order of business was to find a local with fair english skills to write 'i am allergic to peanuts' on a piece of paper and teach us how to say it. This often proved difficult as many people didn't even understand the concept of allergies. Nor do they understand that even traces can be dangerous. In one instance a lady was pounding papaya salad with peanuts in a huge mortar and pestle, trying to sell us on her wares she mimed that it was ok, she just wouldn't put any peanuts in ours. Needless to say, in times of uncertaintly, abstinence is best.

That said, I can now say 'no peanuts' in many languages and we got through 3 months with only two peanutted meals, and in those instances I taste tested and realised before he ate any.

Posted by: lili on March 29, 2006 8:47 AM

I understand and sympathise with people who suffers from nuts and gluten or other food allergies. While some reaction can be fatal but mild reaction can also be bloody uncomfortable. Apart from MSG allergy, I am allergic to avocados, fresh lychees and longans. I break out in severe hives all over together with swollen lips and throat. My son also has a mild allergic reaction to peanuts but close his friend is an anaphylactic. I find it is safer to avoid the nuts altogether and simply find alternative food or ingredients.

I came up with a totally guaranteed NUT FREE THAI Satay Paste. IT is also FREE from MSG, GLUTEN, artificial additives, DAIRY and animal products. Impressed?
If you are interested, check it out on http://gourmetthai.net/pnews.php?page=about

Posted by: LM on March 30, 2006 10:58 AM

Hi everyone,

I work at a company called Sweet William and just wanted to let you all know that we are the makers of chocolate that is

Our bars come in 4 flavours and we also have 2 with No Added Sugar. We have also just released a new Chocolate Spread which is completely NUT FREE!

Our products are available in the health food aisle of Coles and Woolworths and selected health food stores. Our chocolate is also available in a number of overseas locations - so keep an eye out on your next trip.

Please feel free to contact us on 1300 656 223 or send us an email through our website at www.sweetwilliam.com.au.

Happy nut-free travelling.

Kind regards,

Heather

Posted by: Heather on May 29, 2006 11:57 AM

Hi,

Whilst I understand that it is extremely important that anaphylactic children learn to take responsibility (as my daughter has), in this day and age where no one is capable of taking responsible for their own actions, it is also reasonable to understand that they are children.

So, when my 7 year old has another 7 year old chase her around the playground with a peanut butter sandwich thinking it is a hell of a joke, I do not see why something as selfless as banning this product, until they are old enough to understand such a problem as this. Children do not understand cross-contamination nor should they be expected to.

I do not believe in banning things completely however, I do believe there needs to be some form of control.

There may only be a minute amount of people in the population with these allergies. I guess, I feel that usually it extends a bit further as it is these peoples, families, extended families and friends who make sure they are free of these products alo.

Posted by: Ej on August 6, 2006 6:16 PM

I plan to travel to U.S.A next october with my two children. Has anyone got suggestions of insurance companies to use for travel insurance who cover asthma and severe allergies?
thanks

Posted by: Emma Stark on September 23, 2006 2:32 AM

I think it is cruel and irrespnsible for parents and teachers to expect a 5 or 6 year old to be respnosible for a life threatening allergy (they know not to eat other peoples food...that's the easy bit). In a matter of minutes anaphylaxis can be fatal. Of course as they grow older they will become responsible, just like growing up and learning to cross a busy road. Which is why schools choose to minimise nut products. If your child only eats peanut butter that is probably more of a problem (oily,salty) than the child with the allergy.

Posted by: al on February 17, 2007 9:22 AM

This is a warning to All parents/kids that have a peanut allergy.
Are you aware there is NO legislation relating to warnings on packaging that "may have traces"??
We found this out the other day and when wew spoke to the anaphylaxic Association, we were told to stick to the larger companies!!!! What is a larger company?? Homebrand?? Woolworths Select?? Paradise biscuits.

God help us when we do the shopping.

Posted by: barnowls on March 5, 2007 7:23 PM

We've just found out our 4mth old daughter has a severe allergy to peanuts. I agree that people need to be responsible for their own kids.

So, are the parents of the kid who chased Ej's 7 year old around with a peanut butter sandwich to be trusted to teach their own kid to be responsible? It sure doesn't sound like it.

The only thing that kids can reliably be trusted to do is test the limits, because it is how they learn. So why should soemone else's child have to be hospitalised or die in order for them to learn that limits are limits and that some things just aren't funny.

I can only hope that by the time our little one is at school, attitudes will have changed from "when you get hit by a car you can go to hospital and maybe get fixed up" to "let's avoid getting hit by a car in the first place".

Honestly, when are people going to learn that life is a privelage, not a right? Also, that your "right" to eat peanuts on a plane, or smoke in a pub, or drive drunk is very different from your right to eat junk food and give yourself a heart attack, because with the latter, the only person you're potentially doing damage to is yourself.

How sad that our society has become so utterly selfish that people care only about their own comfort.

Posted by: meg on March 23, 2007 6:10 PM

As a follow up, I agree with al - it is negligent for parents and teachers to expect a small child to be responsible for a life threatening allergy.

However, even if you can impress upon a child the need for them to act responsibly, what I was getting at in the previous post is that they can not be expected to ensure that other children, who have no experience of this allergy, will act responsibly.

It is therefore up to the *parents* of those other children to ensure that they don't do anything to exacerbate another child's allergy.

How else can schools do this except by educating parents and asking them not to put nut products into their children's lunches? Let's face it - we're not just talking about hives or a rash here, we're talking about a life.

Children are, at best, curious and at worst, delinquent and so, it would seem, are parents.

Posted by: meg on March 23, 2007 6:32 PM

KP I heart you. I COMPLETELY agree with you, these people take it way too far!

Posted by: yeahright on June 27, 2008 6:23 AM

Myself and all three of my children have severe allergies to peanuts. My eldest son spent 6 days in hospital because another child rubbed peanut paste on his face. We are a nut free school but this childs parent thought it was unfair that her child couldnt eat peanuts at school so selfishly ignored this rule. When told of the incident with my child her reply was badluck maybe i should teach my child to run faster. Ingnorant and selfish you think?